Evonik and Evolve Additive Solutions will jointly develop 3D printing materials for STEP process
Companies to enhance material development for STEP to offer a wider range of thermoplastic material for production of additive manufacturing applications.
Evonik Corporation and Evolve Additive Solutions, Inc. have announced a joint development agreement where the companies will work together to formulate Evonik’s thermoplastic materials to be used in Evolve's selective thermoplastic electrophotographic process (STEP) additive manufacturing solutions. The initial development efforts will focus on polyamide 12, PEBA, transparent polyamide, and polymer of the polyamide 6 series. In the future, the combined efforts will result in a wider range of materials for STEP users with more 3D printing material choices for production that are commonly used in traditionally manufactured products.
Evolve’s STEP technology will sit alongside traditional manufacturing processes, such as injection molding on the manufacturing floor, augmenting an organization’s production capabilities and allowing freedom of design and faster time to market with “toolless” production. The selective thermoplastic electrophotographic process from Evolve is still in the alpha development stage and is expected to be commercial in late-2020.
New possibilities for 3D printing materials
“STEP has been developed for volume manufacturing so offering the widest range of thermoplastic materials to our customers is a critical element for production,” said Steve Chillscyzn, CEO of Evolve Additive Solutions. “The joint development agreement with Evonik allows us to broaden the spectrum of STEP materials to include materials currently accepted by OEMs from additive manufacturing, but more importantly to debut a whole new set of materials opening up more applications that can take advantage of everything additive manufacturing offers.
Thomas Grosse-Puppendahl, the head of the Additive Manufacturing Innovation Growth Field at Evonik added, "Evolve's entirely new technology approach will allow us to expand the range of applications of our high-performance powder materials, which are produced through a unique production process. With more than 20 years of experience in 3D printing, we will also develop a wider range of customized powder formulations to unlock the full potential of the STEP technology.”
Company information
Evonik is one of the world leaders in specialty chemicals. The focus on more specialty businesses, customer-oriented innovative prowess and a trustful and performance-oriented corporate culture form the heart of Evonik’s corporate strategy. They are the lever for profitable growth and a sustained increase in the value of the company. Evonik benefits specifically from its customer proximity and leading market positions. Evonik is active in over 100 countries around the world. In fiscal 2018, the enterprise with more than 32,000 employees generated sales of €13.3 billion and an operating profit (adjusted EBITDA) of €2.15 billion from continuing operations.
About Resource Efficiency
The Resource Efficiency segment is led by Evonik Resource Efficiency GmbH and produces high performance materials and specialty additives for environmentally friendly as well as energy-efficient systems to the automotive, paints & coatings, adhesives, construction, and many other industries. This segment employed about 10,000 employees, and generated sales of around €5.7 billion in 2018.
About Evolve Additive Solutions
Evolve Additive Solution is an organization whose mission is to produce innovative manufacturing solutions that enable customers to manufacture in revolutionary new ways. Evolve is pioneering the manufacturing market with technologies and solutions centered around production applications with real-world thermoplastics. Its revolutionary STEP technology will radically improve manufacturing and enable disruptive new business models for organizations by unlocking the full capabilities of Additive Manufacturing. For additional company updates, follow Evolve on LinkedIn and Twitter. Evolve Additive Solutions is headquartered in Minnetonka, MN with a materials technology center based in Rochester, N.Y.
Disclaimer
In so far as forecasts or expectations are expressed in this press release or where our statements concern the future, these forecasts, expectations or statements may involve known or unknown risks and uncertainties. Actual results or developments may vary, depending on changes in the operating environment. Neither Evonik Industries AG nor its group companies assume an obligation to update the forecasts, expectations or statements contained in this release.